As a small business owner himself, Cody understands that small and medium sized businesses are the key to new opportunities and local growth in North Glengarry.
Cody’s Small business growth action plan:
– CREATE A SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY ON OUR TOWNSHIP WEBSITE where RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS CAN EASILY EXPLORE LOCAL OPTIONS FOR goods AND SERVICES
– OVERHAUL THE TOWNSHIP SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY TO ATTRACT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FRESH EYES TO OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND EVENTS
– WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE IN-PERSON SUPPORT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES LOOKING TO LEVERAGE GRANTS, LOCAL PROMOTION, AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
– FACILITATE CLear COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THE TOWNSHIP THROUGH IN-PERSON CHECK-INS AND by HOSTING REGULAR TOWN HALLS
Our small and medium sized businesses create jobs, whether through self employment or by hiring and paying entire teams. Without them our small towns would be at the complete mercy of a few large employers. That’s why we must do everything in our power to support our existing local businesses and encourage the people of North Glengarry to start new businesses of their own.
For the record – as an economically conservative candidate, Cody doesn’t believe it’s ethical or practical to take Municipal money from our taxpaying residents and then hand it out to for-profit businesses through direct grants.
However, there’s huge untapped opportunity in the form of Provincial and Federal grants and loans that are often confusing or overwhelming to navigate. By providing our local businesses with direct and competent human support we can play an active role in raising awareness of these programs as well as assist with navigating the paperwork. In doing so, we can effectively funnel money back into North Glengarry that would otherwise be lost forever. The best part – it comes at practically zero cost to us. We already have a full-time position at the Township who’s duty is to provide such assistance under the title of Economic Development Officer. Cody will see to it personally that this individual champions the needs of our businesses.
In regards to building an online directory of local businesses and services, this is a long overdue addition to our Township website and would also come at near zero additional cost to the taxpayer. Nobody uses the phone book anymore – yet there’s no local virtual alternative. We will boost our local economy by solving one very simple issue: people cannot shop local until local options are made known to them!
Last but not least – we could see a massive boost to our local economy by leveraging our biggest untapped resource: social media marketing. Currently our Township social media pages may share text and image posts regarding local events, organizations, and businesses. We need a complete social media overhaul to feature regular engaging posts, including video, with a trusted face behind the page. Whether this could be done by an existing member of staff at the Township with some training, or somebody brand new – there’s too much being left on the table to do nothing.
The Cody Pierce for Mayor of North Glengarry Facebook page reached over 500,000 local eyes within one month of its creation. Total cost – $0.
The Cody Pierce for Mayor of North Glengarry website that you’re on right now comes at a total cost of $60 for the year.
When it comes to taking advantage of the opportunity of the digital age, the financial cost is minimal. All we need is a digitally competent, hard working leader who’s willing and able to put everything in motion.
One thing is certain: the most qualified candidate to assist local businesses in the digital age is Cody Pierce.
WITH THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP, WE TRULY CAN DO BIG THINGS IN SMALL TOWNS!
Cody Pierce for Mayor of North Glengarry 